Nikon DSLR triplets on the horizon?
By Ross Miller 
posted April 16th 2010 12:43AM
posted April 16th 2010 12:43AM
It's been quite some time, relatively speaking, since Nikon's updated its DSLR lineup. Not that we're complaining about the D3S or D300s (pictured), mind you, but our eyes are perennially fixated on staring into the next big thing. Nikon Rumors seems to think it's got a handle on three new photo-snappers in the pipeline. While one of the trio is completely shrouded in mystery, another is said to be poised for the an entry level model, likely a successor to the D3000 dubbed -- you guessed it -- the D4000. The third and final camera of the group is quite detailed in this report: 39 autofocus points, 16 megapixels with 6400 ISO + HI2 position, and 1080p / 24 frames per second video. NR uses the number of AF points to speculate it'd be a new product category, a D700 replacement that sacrifices some fine-tuning for video and more resolution, or a successor to the old favorite D90.
Coming from someone who owns a D90...it's time for it to be replaced! It doesn't stack up too well next to the T2I
Na.
@DavidW D90 successor please!
@DavidW
Looks like the described one is indeed going to be a D90 replacement, rather than D700.
@Miakandogadget
Seriously?
18MP vs 12MP
SDXC vs SDHC
1080P video vs 720P video
Sure D90 does a lot of things better, but most people won't see that. It NEEDS to be updated.
@DavidW
Quite true. And the specs mentioned in the article, in my opinion point to D90 replacement and actually cover the weaknesses of it in comparison to 550D.
@DavidW: The D90 does just fine against the T2I in everything except video. Check out this head to head: http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T2i-EOS-550D-Compared-to-Nikon-D90.shtml
If video is all that matters, than sure, I guess the D90 could use a refresh, but for everything else it pretty much takes the T2I to school.
Also, megapixels are overrated marketing hype. The D90 outscores the T2I in color depth, dynamic range, and low light ISO: http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor/Camera-rankings
@RobJ
Like I said, Nikon does a lot of things better...but I sell these cameras for a living...most people who are looking at these think that the bigger the number, the better the camera. Plus for the most part megapixels are overated, but less so on an SLR than a point and shoot.
@DavidW
Yeah, it doesn't stack up too well if your interested in video, however if you're actually interested in a camera for PHOTOGRAPHY then it can easily handle its own against the 500D.
@DavidW
"It doesn't stack up too well next to the T2I"
"..most people who are looking at these think that the bigger the number, the better the camera."
Oh boy..
@High
That doesn't really inspire too much confidence. If it's getting completely obliterated in video capabilities I'd hope it could do more than merely 'hold it's own'. It would need to really dominate, by a healthy margin, to be viable.
Before the t2i came out I was considering a D90 and a camcorder in the $500-$700 range, but once I learned of the t2i (and saw some video samples) I realized the t2i would save me a lot of money. There would have had to be a pretty mindblowing difference in picture quality to negate the advantages of the T2i.
@DavidW Which would you rather sell? Something which is 12MP and handles noise really well at higher ISO (that's what I care about, I want less noise at higher ISO), or 24+ MP which is only good to 400 ISO? As a salesperson, it is your job to help people get past the hype. MP isn't the be all end all of cameras. I love my D90 and I don't give a hoot about video, and I am not going to be printing 72" pictures. A D90 vs a Rebel? Come on.
@wingdo noise at 400?
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EOS_550D_Rebel_T2i/noise_JPEG.shtml
'nuff said.
pal :)
@DavidW: No offense, but it sounds like you're a very bad salesman. It's your job to educate the people you're trying to sell too, not allow their misconceptions about megapixels win out.
@RobJ
Yes, my job is to inform them what they need to be looking for in a camera...but you have to realize many of the customers who walk into the store assume we don't know anything. I can't sit there and argue with a customer since all that's going to do is piss them off. All I can do is give them all of the available information + my opinion and then let them make the choice.
@DavidW Why would you care what other people say about the camera, if you are satidfied with the IQ.
I for one, am 200% satisfied with my D90, and I don't give a BS about MP freaks.
completely agree. we need new gear to create new beautiful photos.
http://www.assolux.com
@RobJ Sorry, but I just read that entire comparison, and it seriously reads like it was written by a Nikon employee. This coming from some in the market for their first SLR, and no bias toward either company.
Damn it, I just bought a new D90!
@williamtsims
Yeah, I just got a D3000
@williamtsims
Ditto! Well, at least I can still use the same glass.
The D700 should be getting cheaper soon.. yah!
@Pearl Jam
that's why the massive rebates lately..
@Pearl Jam
Looking forward to it. These people can keep their video and megapixels... People are really obsessed with pixels, you should see the comments on NR. Ridiculous. I get superb print resolution larger than 8 x 10" with my 10mp D80. There will always be something for people to troll about with digital photography. And they'll always be chasing higher and higher pixels, all the while missing the point of photography. That D700 is looking really good right about now. So I'll be lurking craigslist for people dumping theirs off 'cause they gotta "upgrade". Sweet!
@JMichels
Uh....you have clearly never been on NR...everyone on there constantly talks about how little MP matter...and how important it is to educate people about how megapixels actually work.
I'm going to cheap D200 lol! Or maybe a brand new D300s lol decisions!
Good to hear D700 getting upgraded though it's already an execellent camera!
Just got the D5000 last weekend and could not be happier. Best Buy had a great deal going which included the 55-200 lens and a camera bag!
@Marburg
that 55-200mm lens is not sharp or fast at all sorry to burst your bubble! Even the 18-200 not so good even though it's expensive I would go with lower focal length and faster aperture since DX cameras already have the crop factor so any focal length is longer!
@LeonardWashington
For the price it's a great lens, does great when there's a decent amount of available light.
@LeonardWashington
not to be overly stereotypical but most people buying camera kits at Best Buy aren't far enough along to buy lenses that will satisfy the Internet elite.
@LeonardWashington
Not everyone is a photographer by trade. The kit lenses are good enough for someone getting started with a new camera. Sure there are better lenses. The 55-200mm lens is actually a pretty good as a beginner zoom assuming its the VR model. Some people can't afford to pay 900+ especially right after buying a camera.
But I will concede (as a D5000 owner) I do wish I had gotten the D90 for its internal autofocus motor. That would've allowed me to get some older but still pretty good lenses w/o built in autofocus. Also, the 35mm 1.8G lens is a great lens for only 200 new.
@Rick James
yah I guess 55-200mm does great in ample light.
it is sad that lower end nikons don't have internal autofocus motor for awesome selection of older primes that are much sharper than some new lenses out there. I'm not happy with G series they not good quality.
I love this Canon vs. Nikon debate...
if you here to take still pictures Nikon wins hands down. If you want to make movies Canon is for you.
I for one would really like to see a Nikon that's feature-competitive with the Canon 7D... I've been stalling on upgrading my aged D70; fortunately I haven't invested enough in glass that changing platforms would hurt too badly.
Bring on the D400!
@PerryAJ
too soon after the release of the D300s.
It will seriously hurt the sales of the D300s if they announce the D400 in the coming few months.
The video compression on the D90 is terrible, and in my opinion none of Nikon's current offerings stand up to Canon's in terms of video quality/features (PQ and ISO are another story). These cameras have a lot riding on them in that arena.
@adrock
I'd agree that Canon is beating Nikon in terms of video...fortunately for me I bought my SLR to take pictures :)
@DavidW
The canon set does have some feature advantages for pictures as well. Canon has some great hdr tools, better screen, and the 7d is loaded with options. Also, while we all know megapixels do nothing for quality, it is admirable that canon can get so close to nikon in quality and noise while packing an extra 6. Thats alot of extra megapixels for a small loss. And while video shouldn't be the focus, Its a hell of a feature.
Video is becoming more important as a feature for a lot of people. For me a dslr will always be about stills with video as a nice to have in case the dog does something funny. However nikon need to bring in 1080p 24 with some better af abd exposure controls. Other things that would be cool: make use of huge sensor for a full quality digital zoom by using just the middle of the sensor. Would give you a big crop factor.
Also some kind of external live view screen (in fantasy land this would be wireless and built in to some glasses) to improve handling in lv for stills and video.
Build in gps and wifi. Up the burst rate on the D700.
That's about it I think. Dslr cameras are pretty awesome right now.
If the thing doesn't support 1080p at longer than 5 minutes of recording then it's not an improvement. I don't want to get a Canon...
Too bad Nikon is out of numbers, thus making a D90-successor highly unlikely.
@blaze
D90s!
I really like the D90 and hope to get one soon. I just hope they don't make a completely new model. Just an update of some sort. D90s perhaps? I would certainly buy that.
Video is a bigger deal than you are letting on, primarily because video on an slr has some huge advantages over cheap hd camcorders that make it a must have, even though I have other hd video cameras.
Unbelievable depth of field, Great low light performance, interchangeable lenses, and compact design to name a few
There are alot of people who need that in a video camera and an dslr is the only way to get it without spending 15 grand. The new video cameras just announced by RED, Sony, and Panasonic are using these dslr style chips. This will be the new way to shoot video.
The main thing from pros that I have been hearing is wanting a D700 with higher resolution and video (the latter being a bonus). Right now Nikon only has one camera that true advertising photogs can use and that is the D3X, which is crazy expensive (most require high MP). I think a D700X would help their lineup. Of course, I'd rather just have a D800 with another 4MP and the technology from the D3S. We'll see though.
Each camp has a major hole right now. Nikon with the lack of high res cameras under $7000.
Canon has no full frame camera that has a decent auto-focus AND low light capabilities. The 1Ds III has great AF, but the low light is crap compared to the D3S or even the D700 and still costs a fortune. The 5D Mk II AF is the same crap as before. It sticks out like a sore thumb because the 7D AF is better (but is cropped sensor) and the D700 (it's true main competitor) has the pro level AF from the D3.
I can only speak for the wedding and portrait photogs out there, but if Nikon makes a D800 with a 15-16MP sensor with improved high ISO performance and adds full video to match the 5D Mk II or D3s, it will be a home run. It's very doable as well.
I have to think Nikon named the D3000 and D5000 accordingly because they realize their whole product naming structure was too complicated and overlapping.
If the D4000 is next, what's after that? The D5000 again? If Nikon updates the entry level camera I bet it'll be called a D3100 or D3050.. something other than D4000, because they're simply running out of possible names.
Also, I have to imagine that the D90 will be updated and called a D7000 (After all, they can't call it a D100). Then Nikon will release a camera of the same size/weight a the d90 only with an FX sensor and that will be called the D9000.
Pure speculation, but I think it makes sense.
@csnoke Likely a D9000 which will actually be a D90 replacement and be DX. The 000's range will all be DX, the 00's all FX.
@JimL What about the D100, D200 and D300 and D300s? None of those were FX.
oooooo please be a D90 upgrade! I know it's only been a year since I got mine but after a major connector plate repair and a crap near the top flash I would love to get something fresh and updated.